Avoiding Functional Decline and Minimizing the Effects of Frailty in Hospitalized Older Adults.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this article is to introduce the clinical nurse specialist to the Frailty Care Model. This model can be used by the clinical nurse specialist as a framework to guide nurses as they provide care to older adults predisposed to frailty progression while hospitalized.

DESCRIPTION

The Frailty Care Model is used as a framework to plan the care of the hospitalized older adult. Examples of frailty screening tools are presented to inform the clinical nurse specialist of the older adult's needs for intervention while hospitalized, and a case study is used. Known targets for frailty interventions include low physical activity, malnutrition, and depression, and recommendations for each are given.

OUTCOME

The clinical nurse specialist can use and support specific interventions to improve mobility and physical activity, address depression, and improve nutritional intake in hospitalized older adults.

CONCLUSION

The clinical nurse specialist is essential to the care of the hospitalized older adult who has frailty or is at risk for frailty. Frailty screening and an awareness of risks as well as modifiable factors can set the stage for supportive care that can help to prevent or stabilize frailty in the hospitalized older adult.